I have hit a wall in my research. I need help finding the family of John Foltz, born 14 September 1819. The following is John's obit.
John Foltz was born in Lancaster , Pennsylvaina, September 14, 1819, and daparted this life Nov 2nd 1897, aged 78 years , one month and 19 days.
He was one of a family of 13 children all of which proceded him to the spirit world, except one sister.
In the year 1839 , he come to this State (Hocking county, Ohio) and in 1851 married to Miss Matilda Bownes. To this Union were born ten children , seven sons and three daughters, one of which has gone before. Soon after coming to this state (Ohio) he united with the United Brethan Church and remained a faithful and devot member until his death. Bro. Foltz was a good man, faithful to his Christian duties. He erected the family alter in his home, around which he gathered his children morning and evening and led them in prayer.
Bro. Foltz was kind, gentle and unassuming, a man who attended strictly, to his own business. He will be greatly missed by his neighbores, the chruch and espealally by wife and children.
He leaves to mourn a wife, nine children, one sister, bsides many friends. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev.W.L. Hamistar at the Zion United Brethan Church.(Hocking county, Ohio)
I would be gratful for any help in finding the parents and siblings of John Foltz. It is my hope that somebody recognizes this obit. I have information about the descendants of John Foltz in Ohio.
Many Thanks in advance.

Greetings!

I broke through my brick wall (same situation as yours) after I contacted the Lancaster Co. Historical Society and paid them to search for my ancestor's baptismal record. I had them search Lutheran Church records, even though my great grandfather belonged to the Methodist Church (in a town in Iowa) at the time of his death.

http://www.lancasterhistory.org/research/databases/churches....

They didn't find it the first time around, but found it the 2nd time after searching through "unpublished" Lutheran microfilms.

I would venture to guess that he's listed as either:

Johann(middle name???) Voltz or (First name???)Johann Voltz

ie: Johann Fredrich Voltz or Friedrich Johann Voltz


It was well worth the $50.00 (two time) search fee, as the floodgates opened once I discovered his parents names.

Best of Luck,

Martha

P.S. The "V" is German is pronounced "F", so Voltz was Americanized to Foltz

Thanks, Martha for the info I'll give it a try. Fifty dollars is drop in the bucket when it comes to the wealth of information that it may reveal.

You're welcome! I did some research and discovered the Unity of Bretheran Church is related to the Morovian Church, and the Lacaster Co. Historical Society has Morovian Church records.
**********************************************
The Moravian Church is a mainline Protestant denomination. Its religious heritage began in late 14th century Bohemia (now in the Czech Republic). Its official name is Unitas Fratrum[1] meaning Unity of the Brethren (not to be confused with the small Texan church of the same name). It is also occasionally referred to as the Bohemian Brethren. It places a high premium on Christian unity, personal piety, missions and music.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moravian_Church

Lancaster County Historical Society has a book of Morovian families that include a family with the last name "Voltz". It was written by Engle. This book may prove of interest to you.

Under "Collections", I found a link to their "Online Library Catalog". Under "Search For" I entered "Voltz". This is a copy and paste of what I found.


Old Moravian families...genealogical data compiled...from the records of...

Main author: Moravian Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Title: Old Moravian families...genealogical data compiled...from the records of the Moravian Church, Lancaster.
Description: Book
45-47 p.
Notes: Egle’s Notes and Queries, Annual Volume 1898.
Subject(s): Dehuff family.
Vetter family.
Groff family.
Daehn family.
Henry family.
Reim family.
Gardner family.
Scheffel family.
Trissler family.
Reichenbach family.
Voltz family.
Hehl family.
Thomas family.
Lehn family.
Kohl family.
Schwarz family.
Milchsach family.
Mopson family.
Eberman family.
Albrecht family.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Institution: Lancaster County Historical Society
Collection: LCHSR -- Reference (reading room)
Call Number: 974.8005 E31 1898

Let me know if you ever break through your brick wall. I love to hear success stories.

All the best in your research,

Martha

I took your advice and I'm glad I did, because I found the information I was looking for. Your right John Foltz's b.14 Sept 1819 Lancaster, Pa d. 2 Nov 1897 Hocking, Oh name is spelled Johann Voltz in the church record.
John Foltz's father and mother are Frederick Foltz b.1795 Lancaster,Pa, and Elizabeth Funfrock b.1795 in Lancaster, Pa. I have more information about this family.
GA Foltz

I'm so happy to hear that my "hunch" help you break through your brick wall. I love success stories! Thank you for sharing!

Hello,
with the help of all the great people in the online genealogical community, and little luck I finally broke through my wall. The lucky part was when I found John Foltz's obituary. From John's obituary I found that he was a member of the Zion United Brethren Church in Hocking County, Ohio. With the information I gleaned from John's obituary, and census records, I wrote to the Lancaster Historical Society and explained my theory and supplied information to support my theory. Within a week I received a reply. Opening the envelope I felt like a little kid on Christmas mourning. Not only did I find John Foltz's parents I found all of John's siblings and John's grand parents. John's name was spelled Johann Voltz on the Trinty Lutheran Church records. Attached are two documents the LHS sent. Thanks to every one for the great tips.
GA Foltz